Different detox treatments for opiates

[cwk1234]

I have worked as an addiction specialist for 16 yrs with opiate patients and I am trying to understand why there are more overdoses of opiates in this country now than all other drugs combined. Im trying to understand why we cant win this war, why so many lives are lost with no reason, why patients are not looking for detoxifications more often?Please help me understand...

[lulu747]

Exactly.  It's why I spend 6 months of the year if possible in a third world country.  They feel pain but they feel true joy as well...can't do that on 9 different scripts.  North American society is all about instant gratification-we think we're so civilized but you only have to spend five minutes on this forum to feel the suffering and so many falling through the cracks....I commend everyone who comes on this site and gives support to those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.  Compassion.

[justme1119]

Had to go to  massage therapist today.  She and I always talk.  Her words were, "What do people do in third world countries?"  It was bizarre because I read a post here just the other day about someone, can't remember who it was, who had visited a third world country.  That person said, "They feel everything!"  My massage therapist said after her question, "They feel everything!"  Something to think about!

[lulu747]

I think there is a problem with the way doctors prescribe in my country (Canada) period.  I got super sick with 4 autoimmune illnesses that wreaked havoc on my organs and joints.  I was 28.  Before I knew it I was on 9 different medications. I just wanted to get better and back then I trusted doctors. It has taken me 5 years,multiple drug reactions, surgeries, hospital stays, and near death experiences-not to mention fights with medical professionals, and a lot of independent research.  It doesn't matter if you are an addict or drug dependent.  Opiates are dangerous.  They should not be prescribed so freely-especially for chronic pain. They begin a vicious cycle that is overwhelming to stop.  I think it is lazy (on the Dr.s part)  Write a script and send the patient on their way. OD's can happen at any time.  And the stigma of being "ill" or an "addict" in our society-well there is just not enough compassion or resources or support.  That's my rant(:

[micheleTX]

i read the long posts, so go on and on if you like.  Its okay :)

[justme1119]

This is a good discussion and  many good comments. I've had similar questions but am afraid to ask because some people are so passionate about labeling yourself first.   I was honest with my doctor the first time I knew I was in trouble.  He scolded me soundly, helped me get off of the lortab elixer, and then promptly referred me to a pain specialist when my pain got worse three months later.  The fear of being labelled an addict has kept me from seeking help the second time.   I've seen peoples lives ruined. And though I'm not proud of it, I've even taken part in the talk and the bashings.  I think I would die before I allowed myself to be humiliated in that way.  I could go on but I know people don't always read long posts.

[Richarddidit]

  I think the main reason for all of the drug overdoses is withdrawal pain.You are most always alone during this most difficult experience you ever had.The first time you get through it.The second time becomes more difficult because now your entire being remembers the agony the non stop pain you now know to well. What pain sentence you must endure with no sleep.So if your lucky enough for it to be over in 3 days You only suffered for 72 staight hours.Most wd's last a lot longer.The mental damage from this is never addressed.Meaning how much mental suffering did you go through rate your mental damage on a scale from 1-to-10.Nobody will have an honest answer to this.but anyone that has gone through this more than once will be suicidal in future withdrawals.Now they know there will be a next time.How does a person insane w/pain get help with this one?This time I will go mad.When one is in this condition even a trip to an emergency room is only a few hour fix.or the treatment won't be enough to end thier wd symptoms.Alot are even refused treatment at this point.After someone has gone through all of this there is no where to turn.Any and all pills will do at this point.Now you feel as if no one cares.It is the truth most of the time.Every one you know is sick of you and your druggie behavior.Even some Doctors don't want to know you at all.What your not accepting new patients?

[cwk1234]

I fully agree with tomskat. I think labeling a patient and make them feel a forever misfit in a normal society , keeps patients away from getting the treatment they so deperatly need. Medicine has come a long way in the disease of opiate dependency. Now society has to follow.

[tomskat]

Just a few thoughts from me...I agree with Sara and so many of the others...we trade our addictions sometimes;we lie,steal,&cheat to get what we want.In the end we are the losers in this battle. Recovery&aftercare go hand in hand,and for many there is not enough of that support network out there. I agree there is much to be said for groups like NA,CA and others but for some they need a more struactured enviornment. The stigma attached to the word "addict" is too much for many to bear as well. We are a scoiety of labels,unfortunately. And the label of addict has been misused as well.But I think having the proper support to begin with is key in our battle of this disease. Both from the medical field as well as our family&friends. It's time we stop hiding from our disease,stand our ground,and say enough. Stay strong everyone. We CAN win this fight!!

[10356]

I agree as addicts it makes no difference what we are taking. I traded addictions many times over Not till I received therapy and worked out my past was I able to move forward. Nobody can make a person take these steps to get clean it has to come from them...

[dominosarah]

What type of detox's are you talking about?  The ones around here are about 3-5 days, then they throw you out and say good luck.  

[Ballgame]

What are the different options? Seems like cold turkey and sub are the main 2 to get off

[dominosarah]

I found something that i thought loved me, something i was lacking from my home life.  It made me feel good and by the time it turned on me i was heavily addicted.  Tolerances go up and it takes more and more to get the results we are looking for.  The shame, guilt and lack of self worth holds us back.  Many still have the thinking that all we need to do is just stop.  We have to make that decision, being forced into it doesnt usually work.  Getting clean is the easy part, staying clean is the hard one.  Recovery care is vital to the addict, we have to face those demons that we have buried.  I am sara, a recovering alcoholic/addict~~

[Rich99]

I agree with you totally plus I would add benzos to that list just before the 'etc'.   Those taking Rx benzos from their doctors often feel like they're not really in any kind of addiction habit.    From my own experiences using them I say benzos can be worse to withdraw from than some illegal street drugs.

[Innerstrength67]

In my opinion being addicted to pain meds is no different than being addicted to heroine, cocaine etc...
Addiction is addiction. I think most people think that because they are getting them from a dr, than they really don't have a problem. I can't tell you how many scripts I was able to get without one single MRI. It's because I was a very good liar.

[gnarly_1]

the system is part of the problem doctors are treating pain with more and stronger narcotics and not stoping at 2 or 3 weeks but rather going months with these prescriptions......the patent winds up at least dependent on them at worst they enjoy the feeling and become an addict .......I lived on pain pills for 10 yr then 6 1/2 mo on methadone as a last resort for pain management
it dosent take long to realize that if 1 is good 4 are better we are a culture
that goes to the doctor when in pain the doctors dont know when to turn off the supply that and the pill mills are putting 1000s of pills on the street licitly this has grown to epidemic perorations blame the user the doctor the pil mill but we have a serious problem I spend 2hr a night  6 nights a week fighting this problem people are hopeless once addicted we handle the ones that find there way here I also might add we do home detoxes rehab is far to expensive and people cant get off work to do it the whole system needs to be reworked...................Gnarly

[10356]

I have no problem with the word addict for this is what I'm. OD's happen for many reasons.. your eating pills like candy your mixing alcohol with drugs our your mixing the wrong drugs. some get clean and want to get high and try to use the same amount they did when they stopped. they shoot their drug but do not know how strong it is a dealer can cut the crap out of it and another did not they try to bang what they are use too. The availability of prescription drugs that are in parents medicine cabinets Some parents even offer their children drugs as in my case.. some use drugs as a escape This is what I did. I was never dependent I was a Heroin addict I knew it was addicting but at that time in my life I did not care what happened to me... many things cause a od and many things create a addict... as for looking for professional help in some cases it is seen as on the same side as the law. Insensitivity is rampet in low income facility's and many push you out the door before you are ready unless you have 8 to 12 thousand to pluck down then for this you get suboxen to detox as if this is the miracle cure. When big pharmaceutical quits making money off us junkies and our Dr.'s start to research what they give out like candy Then you may see a drop in OD's and abuse.. lesa

[Bkitty]

Im gonna leave this open to the veterns,,im still in my infancy stage of addiction and still learning about the disease and disease process and all that it entails,,maybe they can help you better understand. There are soo many aspects of this disease. We are a society of labels as well. That is just the way it is,,i hope you can find your answers!! Thank you for reading my answers! ~Bkitty

[cwk1234]

I guess that does not make full sense for me ..Maybe in the beggining you can deny, u can feel a sense of control but after a while u understand it becomes a priority over anything, it consumes u and eventially will probably take all that means anything. I have a bit of issue with the word "addict" as well. Its usually a phisical dependency that creates addiction. I fully agree with you that everyone is different and do it for different issues, but to just label people cause them to hide from help.

[perchance23]

And also the stigma associated with addiction and dependency. People barely have jobs and don't want to admit what is going on.

[Bkitty]

denial,,you never think you are as bad as you really are. there are so many levels of denial. A lot of us are mothers and fathers,,students,,children. We are not able to get away from our lives to get the help we need. Its hard to answer that because its sooo very different for each addict. does that make sense. This is a progressive disease if not treated but in our addicted mind we think "it wont happen to me" "I got this under control" and really we dont.

[cwk1234]

I thank you for your response and I fully undersatand the merry go around, I understand the progression of dependnecy and I understand how hard withdrawals are. I am trying to understand is why patients dont seek treatment more often, I know financially is a huge issue.
There r treatments that r on a sliding scale or state funded, I know they r not great but they r treatment. I am not judging , just the more I read about lives lost the more I want to understand.

[Bkitty]

Because a lot of us become physically addicted to these pills and If we try and stop them we get really ill,,so then you take more of them to get outta being sick and then you want to chase that high you got when you first started them an d thus goes the merry go round. You think one more pill and Ill feel a lot better and then next you know it catches up with you and you have overdosed. I would think you would understand this being an addiction specialist for 16yrs. Maybe not,,I understand its hard for non addicts to understand this. As far as detox/treatment,,we live in a world where insurance has been cut and some people dont have any. Its not exactly affordable to go to treatment for 28-30days. It costs ten of thousands of dollars.We are living in difficult times these days with the economy the way it is and how the insurance has cut soo many benefits. I hope this helps you some!!~Bkitty